"..."
The black apparition did not answer.
They pretended to be sturdy on the outside, but they were the black ones who saved her family, which was reeling from debt. In return for her loyalty, she could even get Cheryl, which is more expensive than jewelry these days.
The woman, who was already stained with greed, hung on desperately.
"My husband's business is now in full swing. So don't let go now. If our family gets richer, we will be able to help you a lot!"
The woman poured out her words.
This time, she will make sure that she achieves what they want. She will spread the rumor that the necklace was stolen and create a feud between the royal family of Semele and the Tower of Demons.
"I'm going to cancel Cheryl's sanctions. If you move the social world that is crazy about luxury, you will be able to stir up public opinion!"
The woman quickly laid out her plans.
Now that she was talking about it and touching some money. She couldn't lose the bigger and richer glory of the future with a single mistake.
"It is good."
The woman smiled at the cold voice of permission. Then, she heard a loud bang and something popped out.
"Oh!"
"Steal the necklace and replace it with it."
The woman stretched out her hand in a daze. The object that jumped out of the black vision was, surprisingly, a necklace.
"This... Magic stone necklace?!"
"It is a replica."
The woman's mouth fell open.
The subtle colors and luster, and even the design and pattern, were the same. The Queen's magic stone necklace was the only one she got from the Magic Tower!
"Oh my God. How can it be the same..."
"As soon as you get your hands on the necklace, hand it over to me. Put it on the gemstone and call me, and it will be sent."
A low-pitched voice told her how to do it. The woman nodded.
"Leave it to me! I will definitely succeed."
The answer of a woman who is greedy and glib. The black visions that had heard her disappeared without a trace, just as they had appeared.
***
"Queen! Thank you for inviting me."
The Marquis de Daria and his wife approached and greeted her. Julia greeted him with a smile.
"Welcome. It was a simple party, but thank you for showing up."
"What do you mean? It's an infinite honor to be invited."
The Marquis de Daria and his wife took a glass of champagne and happily went inside.
'I think we're all there.'
Julia sipped champagne and looked back at the party.
Today's party was smaller than a prom and bigger than a tea party. The attendees were mainly people who were close to the King and his wife, but they were all powerful aristocrats.
Still, there was no particular reason, so it was very small, and it was almost a social gathering. However, the nobles rushed to the front even more. Of course, it was because of the magic stone necklace.
To be more precise, to get a little closer to the royal family, which seems to be close to the Magic Tower.
"Then, please don't feel pressured and enjoy it."
Julia clapped her hands with her gloved hands. Then, the servants set up all kinds of precious drinks and liquors.
Unlike the official ball, which consists of greetings and ballroom dances, there were several tables today. Participants were free to sit down and talk, taking a glass each.
"Queen, what kind of book will you choose for this book club?"
"Speaking of which, I heard that a new opera is coming up. It was a hit at Shabel, but Count Tezevia sponsored it, right?"
At the table where Julia was sitting, there was already a lively conversation. The table on the other side, Endymion, was much calmer, but the conversation continued.
The atmosphere quickly became fun with performances and drinks that livened up the atmosphere.
"Countess, is that a Cheryl bracelet?"
"That's right. I'm obsessed with Cheryl these days, so I made it to order."
At the table where the noble ladies gathered, they did not miss talking about jewelry. The attention of socialites, who are always sensitive to new trends, was immediately focused.
"Oh, the Marquis of Headling's gun is decorated with lace in the shape of Cheryl petals."
"After all, Cheryl is popular everywhere these days! I think I'll make one for myself."
The conversation quickly shifted to one place after complimenting each other.
"But it's the most beautiful thing..."
"It's the queen's necklace!"
Julia smiled gracefully as she took the cocktail. Instead of her usual formal attire, she was wearing a trendy and stylish dress.
Thanks to this, the blue magic stone on the white nape of the neck had a tremendous presence. The noble ladies were excited and began to flock more and more to Julia.
"The more I look at it, the more I feel fascinated."
"That's right, Queen. What kind of person is Magic Tower Lord? I wonder if you received it as a gift."
One of the younger ladies asked a question. Then, several male nobles who were passing by joined the group, pretending that it was a coincidence.
"Hmm. I'm curious too, Queen. I heard that he was really scary in rumors."
"Is that so?"
The Queen's reaction made people swallow hard and look forward to it.
Julia laughed silently until the crowd was impatient.
"He's not scary. He was very kind."
"Wow! Do you really?"
"After all, our Queen is special! Why, the Princess of Tagris begged the lord of the tower for the baptism of her son, but in the end she didn't get permission."
Admiration, envy, and praise began to pour in.
The atmosphere heated up with more and more joy, and Julia enjoyed herself answering the barrage of questions.
"He contacted the communication agency and sent me a necklace. I also received a handwritten letter, and it was very sweet."
"I see! However, when we see that he gave you such a wonderful necklace as a gift, he is very considerate."
"Hoho, how nice it would be if I could have a conversation with the Magic Tower Lord."
Everyone laughed and chatted in a relatively relaxed atmosphere. Julia wondered if three hours had passed like that.
Clang.
"Oh, Queen! Are you okay?"
The glass slid lightly on the table. Fortunately, there was no content, but everyone was surprised because it was the Queen who missed the cup.
"Oh, it's okay. I felt good, so I drank a little too much, and then I stopped."
Julia waved her hand in a slightly slower tone. Everyone looked drunk.
The party was very hot. So everyone drank a lot. And Julia was no exception.
"If you don't mind, why don't you come and get some air?"
The nobles took care of Julia. Julia shook her head lightly, saying she was fine, but then she shook her body as well.
"Queen."
"Oh, Your Majesty."
The noble ladies were surprised to see the King suddenly appear. The King, who had lightly supported the Queen, said affectionately.
"I would like to go in."
"No, I can't. It's been a long time since we've all gathered, right?"
"I'm worried."
"Your Majesty is too protective of me."
The royal couple had an affectionate argument. The noble ladies were surprised by the King's cold and soft appearance, and they glanced at the couple's pink affection and giggled softly.
In the end, the King backed down at the insistence of the Queen. Instead, instead of the ripening party hall, they decided to move to a banquet room set aside in the Queen's Palace for a while.
"It overlooks the garden. It's so beautiful!"
The Marchioness de Flora and the Marchioness of Daria screamed from the balcony. The rest were classic and stylish furniture, and they couldn't keep their mouths shut about the decorations.
"This is a place where only royalty can enter. Can we really stay here?"
In principle, the special banquet room of the Queen's Palace could only be entered by semi-royals. Although they were close to each other to some extent, it was an unconventional treatment.
"Of course. You're my guests, aren't you?"
Julia smiled with a red face. The noble ladies were overjoyed.
The seven nobles invited here were close to the Queen since she was the Crown Princess. Everyone had a good family name, and everyone had a sad personality, so they got along well.
"I'm going to work harder in the future, so please give me a lot of advice."
Julia filled everyone with a glass. It was a piece of art that the handmaiden held on a special gold tray.
"Honor, Queen!"
The eight women had a great time. Thanks to the relaxed atmosphere, everyone was immersed in the atmosphere.
As a result, even before midnight, when the party ended, all the ladies were drunk.
"Mmmm..."
"What a great night..."
The quiet and cozy banquet room was perfect for a good time. A cool breeze came in through the open windows, and the ladies mumbled their eyes as they muttered.
"Shall we all take a break and go home together?"
Julia suggested in a slower voice.
The noble ladies were excited, drank alcohol, and were drowsy, and when they had the opportunity to boast about their friendship with the Queen, they unanimously agreed.
"Then I'll ask the maid to wake me up in an hour."
"Thank you, Queen..."
The noble ladies began to doze off with joy. In such a secret banquet room, the Queen and the nobles slept peacefully.
About thirty minutes passed.
"It looks like your neck is stiff because it's heavy."
"Then you can leave it aside for a while."
Some of the ladies who had fallen asleep woke up to small conversations.
She saw people sleeping with their backs to the armchairs that the servant had given them. And in the midst of it, the Queen was standing up with the help of the handmaiden.
"Queen?"
"Oh, excuse me for a moment. I want to go to His Majesty..."
The Queen, who was always graceful and calm, was shy like a girl.
The ladies scolded her and pretended not to know. As soon as she closed her eyes, her heavy eyelids naturally drooped.
"Yes, then put it in the break room next door for a while."
"Yes, my Queen."
The Queen untied the necklace with a sleepy face and handed it to her. The hand maiden carefully took it, placed it in a silk cushion box, and entered the next room. Then she left the box and helped her.
"Let's go. His Majesty said he would be waiting for you at the party."
Soon, the Queen left a quiet place with the scent of art paintings.
Tak.
The door was closed.
A lazy banquet room where everyone slept comfortably. Soon, only the rustling of the ladies remained.
Squeak.
However, a very small noise was mixed into the air.
It was the sound of the legs of the chair dragging on the marble floor. The noble ladies, who were already drunk and asleep, either did not know at all, or only tossed and turned weakly.
No one woke up, and the atmosphere was still quiet. Finally, someone got up from her chair.
"..."
The woman stood up, muffling the sound of footsteps. She took off her shoes to drown out the sound and deliberately stepped on the carpeted hem.
It was a quick move, conscious of the guards standing outside the door. Soon, the woman arrived in the break room next door, where the door was slightly open.
It seemed that the handmaiden had not locked it when she left. The door opened without a sound, and the woman rushed into it as soon as she found a small gap for her body to pass through.
It happened in the blink of an eye, something that no one had ever seen.
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